Former Super Eagles forward, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, has strongly advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against rehiring Samson Siasia or Augustine Eguavoen. He believes the national team needs a fresh approach as it seeks a new coach.

Aiyegbeni asserts that Nigeria has outgrown the practice of recycling coaches. He calls for a different, more forward-thinking strategy from the NFF.

His comments come amidst uncertainty regarding the current coach, Eric Chelle. Chelle’s position is in doubt following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Despite not losing any of his eight competitive matches in normal time, the inability to reach the tournament has intensified pressure.

With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) just weeks away, Aiyegbeni cautioned against any hasty coaching changes. Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, he questioned Nigeria’s persistent struggle to find a stable, long-term coaching solution.

“Why do we always struggle to get a decisive coach when it matters?” Aiyegbeni asked. “We need a foreign coach, and I agree with that. We still need a foreign coach.”

He added, “It’s too close to the AFCON to bring in another coach now.”

Aiyegbeni also dismissed the idea of bringing back familiar faces. He emphasised the team’s need for a new direction.

“I don’t think Siasia or Eguavoen are needed anymore. That era is behind us,” he stated. “I believe we should sit down and actively search for a new person. It’s time to move forward, not backwards.”

A History of Coaching Instability

Nigeria’s coaching history has been turbulent for over a decade. The team saw four different coaches manage them during the recent World Cup and AFCON qualifying cycles.

Jose Peseiro began the World Cup qualifiers. Finidi George then took over briefly. Augustine Eguavoen stepped in to guide the team into the AFCON. Finally, Eric Chelle took charge for the playoffs, which resulted in a penalty shootout loss to DR Congo.

This pattern of frequent changes is not new. Eguavoen has had five separate stints as Super Eagles coach, the most in the nation’s history. Siasia has managed the team twice. In contrast, only a small number of European coaches have been entrusted with the role over the past 25 years. Gernot Rohr was the longest-serving among them, completing five years in charge.